At Royal Academy, our programs are guided by two powerful philosophies—Montessori and Reggio Emilia—brought together in a way that nurtures every child’s natural curiosity and love of learning.
Learn About The Two Philosophies That Shape Our Approach
1. Montessori: A Prepared Environment for Independence
Montessori emphasizes independence, choice, and hands-on discovery. In practice, this means children explore carefully prepared classrooms filled with real-life activities and purposeful learning materials. Whether they are pouring water, building with blocks, or tracing letters, each experience helps them build focus, problem-solving skills, and confidence at their own pace.
A Prepared Environment for Independence
In a Montessori-inspired classroom, every shelf and material is intentional. For example, children may practice pouring beans from one jug to another, carefully building coordination and concentration. These small tasks prepare them for larger skills, such as writing or caring for their environment. Teachers guide gently, stepping back to allow children to discover their own rhythm. This nurtures not only academic readiness, but also patience, resilience, and respect for their community.
The prepared environment in a Montessori-inspired classroom is carefully designed to nurture independence and exploration across all areas of learning. Children engage in Practical Life activities like pouring, spooning, and caring for plants, which build focus and responsibility. Math shelves invite hands-on discovery through beads, rods, and shapes, while Language materials support early reading and writing skills. The Culture and Science area opens the door to the wider world with nature objects, globes, and puzzles, and the Arts section inspires creativity through painting, music, crafts, and sewing. Together, these areas form a balanced environment where children can grow in confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
2. Reggio Emilia: The Child as Protagonist
Where Montessori offers structure and independence, Reggio Emilia complements it with creativity, collaboration, and emergent exploration. Reggio-inspired learning views children as strong, capable, and central to their own learning journey. Teachers act as co-learners and guides—listening, observing, and documenting children’s ideas to make their thinking visible.
In a Reggio-inspired classroom, projects grow organically. A child’s simple question—“Why do shadows move?”—might spark weeks of collaborative exploration, weaving together science, storytelling, art, and math. Materials such as clay, light tables, blocks, and natural objects become “languages” children use to express their ideas. These many forms of expression are celebrated as the hundred languages of children.
Collaboration is at the heart of Reggio Emilia. Children learn not only from their teachers, but also from one another—sharing perspectives, negotiating, and building projects together. The classroom itself, often called the “third teacher,” is designed with beauty and intention: sunlight, plants, open-ended materials, and documentation panels that reflect the children’s journey. This environment invites exploration and communicates to every child, your ideas matter here.
Reggio in Action at Royal Academy
At Royal Academy, Reggio-inspired learning comes alive through emergent projects that grow from children’s natural curiosities. For instance, a fascination with leaves might lead to sketching their shapes, creating clay imprints, comparing them under a magnifying glass, and even writing stories about trees. A simple question can blossom into an exploration that spans art, science, and storytelling.
Teachers document these discoveries through photos, notes, and displays, giving children the chance to revisit and reflect on their own thinking. The classroom environment—filled with natural light, inviting spaces, and open-ended materials—encourages collaboration and creative expression. Whether building together with loose parts, painting at the easel, or telling stories through puppetry, children learn to communicate, problem-solve, and see themselves as capable contributors.
At Royal Academy, Reggio is not just an approach—it’s a celebration of curiosity, connection, and the many languages children use to make sense of their world.
How Royal Academy Blends the Two
At Royal Academy Langley, “we embrace a blended approach, viewing the child as the protagonist of their own learning journey. The environment is considered the ‘third teacher,’ intentionally designed to inspire curiosity and discovery. Our educators serve as co-learners, guiding and documenting a child’s emergent projects. We integrate the philosophy with the prepared Montessori environment for our preschoolers, allowing for both independent work and collaborative, project-based learning.”
Royal Academy Langley
This means your child benefits from both worlds:
- The structure and independence of Montessori
- The creativity and collaboration of Reggio Emilia
- A thoughtfully designed environment that supports exploration and belonging
- Teachers who encourage curiosity while nurturing confidence and emotional growth
- The Whole-Child Advantage
Together, these philosophies ensure children are not only ready for school—they’re prepared for life. They grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient learners who see themselves as capable contributors to their community.
Don’t miss out on our recent story, Why Families Call Royal Academy the Best Richmond Childcare Program
Ready to See It in Action?
We’d love to welcome your family for a visit! Come explore our classrooms, meet our teachers, and experience how a Montessori | Reggio-inspired education can nurture your child’s unique potential.
